Meaning: This quote by the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch provides a poignant and evocative description of the experience of death. Munch is best known for his iconic painting "The Scream," which captures the intense emotion and existential angst that permeate much of his work. In this quote, Munch uses vivid imagery to convey the sense of isolation, darkness, and despair that he associates with the idea of death.

Munch's comparison of death to having one's eyes put out and being shut in a cellar creates a powerful visual and emotional impact. The metaphor of blindness suggests a loss of perception and awareness, as though the world has become closed off and inaccessible. This portrayal of death as a state of sensory deprivation underscores the finality and irreversibility of the experience.

Furthermore, Munch's description of being abandoned and shut in a cellar evokes feelings of loneliness, confinement, and desolation. The act of being abandoned by all and left in darkness emphasizes the idea of death as a solitary and isolated journey. The slamming of the door and the subsequent absence of others reinforce the sense of finality and separation from the living world.

The mention of the damp smell of putrefaction adds a visceral and unsettling element to Munch's depiction of death. This detail conjures images of decay and disintegration, highlighting the physical and corporeal aspects of mortality. The juxtaposition of the sensory deprivation with the awareness of decay creates a haunting and grim portrayal of the experience of death.

Through this quote, Munch offers a deeply introspective and melancholic perspective on the nature of death. His use of vivid and evocative language serves to elicit a profound emotional response from the reader, inviting contemplation on the inevitable and universal experience of mortality. Munch's exploration of death as a state of darkness, isolation, and decay reflects his preoccupation with themes of existential anguish and the fragility of human existence.

In summary, Edvard Munch's quote provides a compelling and vivid portrayal of the experience of death, drawing on evocative imagery and emotional depth to convey the sense of isolation, darkness, and decay associated with mortality. Munch's introspective exploration of death serves as a poignant reminder of the profound and universal nature of this existential experience.